For the Geek in all of us

Interview with Stephanie Monahan, Author of The Mean Girl Apologies and Giveaway

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Good morning, Stephanie! Describe yourself in five words or less.

[Stephanie Monahan] Creative, loyal, worrywart, animal lover

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about The Mean Girl Apologies?

[Stephanie Monahan] After 5 years spent trying to forget about the person she was in high school, Natalie has no choice but to face it—and the people she hurt—when she realizes the newest hit song on the radio is about her, sung by the one she hurt most.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you share your favorite scene?

[Stephanie Monahan] My favorite is the scene at the prom. I thought it had a good mix of humor and emotion, and I loved writing the confrontation scene between Natalie and Jack.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What gave you the most trouble with the story?

[Stephanie Monahan] Probably trying to balance the not-so-great aspects of Natalie’s personality while still being able to root for her. I didn’t realize how hard it would actually be until I tried to do it! Hopefully, it worked.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What’s one thing you won’t leave home without?

[Stephanie Monahan] My iPhone! I have no idea how I survived without one.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name three things on your desk right now.

[Stephanie Monahan] Picture of my dog when he was a puppy, Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, and candles.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What’s your favorite snack when you’re working on a deadline?

[Stephanie Monahan] Starbucks iced caramel macchiatos!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you could trade places with anyone for just one day, who would you be?

[Stephanie Monahan] Sarah Jessica Parker, because that would be the closest I’d ever come to being Carrie Bradshaw.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] You have been granted the use of one superpower for one week. Which power would you choose, and what would you do with it?

[Stephanie Monahan] Immortality. Then I would do all the things that freak me out, like skydiving, and not be afraid.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are some books that you enjoyed recently?

[Stephanie Monahan] I really liked On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta – it came out in 2006 so I was a little behind the times on that one. I am reading my first Elin Hilderbrand right now and really enjoying it.

Book Synopsis: You know that catchy song you keep hearing on the radio?

It’s about you.

Natalie Jamison has spent five years trying to forget the girl she was in high school: popular, pretty…and, okay, mean. Now in her twenties and living once again in her small town, she’s right back where she was: following Queen Bee Amber and keeping secrets from her best friend, Sarah.

Secrets like Jack Moreland.

Everyone knows Jack Moreland—his new album, Good Enough, is everywhere. He’s famous. Impossibly handsome. Completely untouchable. But what none of Natalie’s old clique knows is that in high school, Natalie and Jack fell in love. And their secret relationship was incredible, painful—and earth-shattering enough to inspire an entire album.

Facing friends and enemies isn’t easy, but Natalie will go to great lengths to prove she is good enough—to her friends, to herself, and most of all, to the small-town boy turned worldwide heartthrob she never forgot.

Stephanie Monahan received her degree in English Literature from Binghamton University. In addition to reading and writing, she is passionate about her dog and cat, British pop music, andthe beach. Born and raised in upstate New York, Stephanie now lives in central Massachusettswith her husband. Her first book, 33 VALENTINES, was nominated for a 2013 Book of theYear award at Coffee Time Romance & More. You can find her online at www.stephmonahan.com.